Chain eyes poultry harvest change

Apparently reacting to pressure from the activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), McDonald's may require its processors to change their poultry harvest methods. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the world's largest restaurant chain is looking at using controlled atmosphere killing, where chickens are killed by replacing oxygen in the air with an inert gas such as nitrogen

compiled by BEEF staff | Feb 01, 2005

Apparently reacting to pressure from the activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), McDonald's may require its processors to change their poultry harvest methods.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the world's largest restaurant chain is looking at using “controlled atmosphere killing,” where chickens are killed by replacing oxygen in the air with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. Currently, chickens are hung by the legs on a moving conveyor line that pulls them through an electrified vat of water, which stuns the chickens, after which their throats are cut.

McDonald's move follows a PETA announcement that it would submit a proposal on the issue to shareholders at McDonald's annual meeting.